“I’ll think it over,” shivered Penny.
“Don’t think too long, or you’ll never try it. Just start.”
Sara bent to examine her bindings. Then in a graceful crouch she shot down the hill and with a lifting of her arms soared over the take-off. She made a perfectly poised figure in mid-air and an effortless landing on the slope below, finishing off with a christiana turn.
“She’s good!” thought Penny. “I’ll try it, too, even if they carry me off on a stretcher!”
In a wave of enthusiasm she pushed off, keeping her arms behind her. As the edge of the chute loomed up, she swung them forward and sprang into the air. But something went wrong. In an instant she was off balance, her arms swinging wildly in a futile attempt to straighten her body into position.
The gully appeared to be miles below her. Panic surged over Penny and her muscles became rigid. She was going to take a hard fall.
“Relax! Relax!” screamed a shrill voice.
With a supreme effort Penny drew back one ski and bent her knees. She felt a hard jar, and in amazement realized that she had landed on her feet. Her elation was short lived, for the next instant she collapsed and went sliding on down the slope.
Sara ran to help her up.
“Hurt?”